Introduction
The BP Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico was [proven to be the largest and most disastrous oil spill in the history of petroleum mining. A drilling rig operating in the gulf waters was at the center of the center. Due to negligence, oil and gases rose into the rig resulting in an explosion that killed several people in the oil rig. The aftermath was more disastrous, the explosion created a pathway for oil to freely flow from the well into the ocean. The spill triggered a massive response using skimmer ships and dispersant. Still, the disaster was too large to control, it was not until September, an astonishing four months after the explosion that the well was finally sealed (Barrage, Chyn & Hastings, 2014). In the aftermath, the environmental damage and the effect on tourism were too large to estimate. Marine life, beaches, and other water resources were adversely affected. The effects of the spill are likely to be felt centuries after the disaster. A complete analysis of the damage is almost impossible. In light of that, this paper the level of contamination to water supply and the environment and possible processes to be applied in cleaning
Impact on Water Supply
The effects on water supply are slow but detrimental to the health and livelihoods of communities dependent on the water from the affected areas. Unlike the impact on the environment which is immediate and easily observable, the impact on water supply takes time to manifest and becomes extremely challenging to control (Farrington, McDowell & Spills, 2018). A significant part of the population living in New Orleans depends on bayous for their water supply. The marshy area was left exposed to the effect of the spill, therefore, casting doubt on the safety of the water supply for domestic and other uses. Encroachment of the oil contaminants on the marshes was gradual but effectively rendered the water unsuitable for consumption.
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Alternatively, the oil spill could potentially affect millions of people in far-off places as observed in the hydrological cycle. Water goes through the stages of evaporation, condensation, precipitation and runoff. Water evaporating from the sea surface would be accompanied by oil particles. Wind will then blow the vapor together with oil chemicals over the land surface. As the water begins to condense, it will form droplets around the oil particles. Condensation will then result in the rain over dry land. Since there will now be contaminated by the oil particles, the water will run off into rivers and lakes and contaminate the clean water supplies. The rest will percolate into underground reservoirs and cause the water to become unsafe for drinking or agricultural use.
The effect of oil spillage on water supply can also manifest through acid rain. Acid rain forms when chemicals in the atmosphere react with water to form acid rain. Evaporated chemical particles which constitute oil will undergo the same reactions with vapor or directly with its condensate. The chemical particles are mainly sulfuric or nitric in nature. The chemical reaction will then form acid rain that falls on the surface. Through runoff into river or percolation, water resources become contaminated.
Impact on the Environment
The massive oil spill at the Mexican Gulf was unexpected. The deep well where mining was going on made it more difficult to contain the situation. The spew from the well together with the oil contained in the rig spread on the sea surface. The oil slick from the spillage spread over one hundred miles across the sea surface, cutting off the air supply to marine life below. Hydrocarbons that constitute the structure of oil have carcinogenic characteristics in high concentration and also directly affect biological processes in animals and plants (Michel et al., 2013). Over one million birds are estimated to have died due to the spillage. Fish numbers greatly reduced in the aftermath of the spillage due to the direct effect of oxygen cutoff or the adverse effect that oil has on the biological processes Michel et al., 2013). Owing to the carcinogenic nature of the hydrocarbons in the oil, the effects are expected to be felt for years.
The tourism industry was not spared due to the disaster. Efforts to protect the beaches from the adverse effects of the spillage were not entirely successful. Beaches in areas as far as over 1000 miles from the place of spillage were affected (Michel et al., 2013). The dispersant applied had further negative effects on the beaches since they caused the oil to embed itself in the beach sand. As such, it is almost impossible to do away with its effects. The ongoing environmental impact assessment revealed that larger sea creatures like dolphins and whales are dying in greater numbers than witnessed before the spillage.
Treatment Processes
Technological advancement played a crucial role in mitigating the effects of the spillage and reducing the expected levels of damage. Chemical dispersants were extensively used to facilitate the absorption of the oil particles into the sea floor. Dispersants work in a similar manner to detergents by breaking the heavy oil particles thus making them sink faster (Ivshina et al, 2015). Ship skimmers helped to recover about 20% of the oil that spilled from the accident site. The skimmer drew the oil floating on the sea surface, thus preventing it from spreading further. Barriers were placed in strategic areas to prevent further spread of the oil to land and beaches. Although the barriers do not qualify as a treatment process, they facilitate the two other [processes and reduce the environmental impact of the spillage.
Lessons
Water resources are vital to the survival of millions of plant and animal life as well as humans. Protection of these resources should feature prominently in the exploration and mining of gems below the water surface and on long. Through lessons from the BP Oil Spill, a single act of negligence can cause massive deaths and result in irreparable damage to the environment. Furthermore, investment in technologies to deal with accidents affecting water resources is necessary. Containing the effects of these accidents can make the difference between the preservation of life or its destruction. More knowledge of underground water resources will also aid in protecting these resources for future generations.
The Economic Value of Water
Billions of people rely on water resources for their economic survival either directly or indirectly. Water offers a reliable means of transports especially with the development of massive liners and cargo ships. Commercial companies and small-scale fishing vessels provide employment to and food to a significant percentage of earth's populations. Irrigation water for agriculture should also be free from contamination to preserve soil productivity and its longevity. Water resources enhance food security by enabling food production in arid and desert lands. In essence, the economic benefits of water are immeasurable.
Conclusion
The BP Oil Spill acted as an eye-opener to oil exploration companies and governments on how negligence and carelessness can become costly in the event of an accident. The spillage was also a trigger for research and investment on techniques to prevent such disasters and methods to reduce the damage in the event of their occurrence. Environmental conservation advocacy needs to pressure authorities to have strict guidelines to prevent such accidents. Additionally, industrial safety measures need to improve especially with a focus on the environment.
References
Barrage, L., Chyn, E., & Hastings, J. (2014). Advertising, reputation, and environmental stewardship: Evidence from the BP oil spill. Ann Arbor , 1001 , 48109-1220.
Farrington, J., McDowell, J., & Spills, O. (2018). Mixing Oil and Water. Life . Retrieved on 29 september 2018, from http://www.whoi.edu/oceanus/viewArticle.do?id=2493> ;
Ivshina, I. B., Kuyukina, M. S., Krivoruchko, A. V., Elkin, A. A., Makarov, S. O., Cunningham, C. J., ... & Philp, J. C. (2015). Oil spill problems and sustainable response strategies through new technologies. Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts , 17 (7), 1201-1219.
Michel, J., Owens, E. H., Zengel, S., Graham, A., Nixon, Z., Allard, T. ... & Rutherford, N. (2013). Extent and degree of shoreline oiling: Deepwater Horizon oil spill, Gulf of Mexico, USA. PloS one , 8 (6), e65087.
